Divorce and money

My son just got divorced 2 years ago and she got alimony ($350/mo) for 2,1/2 years and 50/50 child custody but she got $350 a month from him on that till child is 18. Not sure how they figure it but it is based something on his income and what they did/got while married... she was ony working part time during those years... now she just lives at home with her parents, and lives on the $700 a month and picks up temp job here and thereso she doesn't make much so that when the alimony runs out this summer, she plans to take him back to court to raise the child support..so she can keep loafing. Here in California, she'll probably get it. sad and wrong as that is...

Alimony payments after the children are grown has a lot to do with your sisters age and her background, as far as education and employability. Length of the marriage and her roll also are factored in. Did she work to put him back in school? Was she directly involved with his success? A judge will look at all of that, especially if well presented by her lawyer. One thing your sister should consider. In lieu of prolonged alimony, perhaps part of her settlement could be in the form of the ex paying for her continued education. She would be in school while her kids are, but in the end she could be in the position to support herself with a good career. That's worthwhile from two points. One, it ultimately severs her dependancy on the cad that her ex is. And two, being in the working world has a social benefit of meeting friends and perhaps even a new love interest (if she ever wants to).

many have said their pieces already. i guess she just needs to get herself a full time work and then ask for child support because these are 3 kids and it is not easy to raise 3 child by a single parent nowadays.

My heart goes out to your sister, as this will be quite devastating to the children and she will undoubtedly bear the brunt of that, too. Some people don't get any spousal support. I think that amount depends on the circumstances, the laws in her jurisdiction, and also on the negotiations of the divorce. She will need a good lawyer, or she could end up with nothing.

Depending on what state she lives in spousal support can be for a year. A judge could possibly say, since the children are in school, your sister does not need to be home all day. They may give her a time frame to get a job, if there is nothing physically wrong with her that she can't work. Spousal support is really given in order for the party to get theirselves together and become self supportive. If the children goes to college, the child support will be extended until they graduate from college. I doubt if a court will give child support for three children as well as spousal support, if the husband is not making that much money. The courts realize that the husband has to live too, so they will not take all of his money. If your sister does not have any skills, they may suggest job training. She will be expected to get a job, in order to support herself.

I think the husband must suppport the kids as long he can. But may be until the kids get 21st or may be is better as long as married 17 years

I'm sure every State is different on that one. I know when I went through my divorce (ending 20 year marriage) I was told because I held a nursing license the court said I wasn't eligible for spousal support...I should be able to support myself because of my license. I don't know, maybe it's dependent on whether the wife has extra skills she went to school for (or not.) I do think there's a limitation on it, if I'm remembering right, it was only 3 years for a friend of mine who went through it, and her marriage ended after 24 years.

I'm not sure about spousal support. They do not offer that in the state that I live in. I would look under your states marriage laws to know for sure or ask an attorney.

i dont honestly know. i just pick up this discussion because i find this topic captivating. it always makes me sad whenever i hear people breaking up. Its like not so long ago they were both happy engaged then they said their I DOS and they got beautiful kids.. and later they realize its all worthless and decides to get another life! i just find it very sad and unfair.. well, i am not married yet.. and it just scares me thinking that my on marriage will end up like this.. i pray not.. fervently pray not..

Trace86, The most headache and troublesome part of any divorce will be the child custody and support part. The couples here will sometimes face long legal battles and to no end. I hope that your sister will realize that the sooner the both of them reaches an amicable agreement the better it is for both sides because all the wrangles and delays here will only benefit the lawyers. So, having said that I think it would be wise to check with her legal counsel what is the exact duration for child support for her children as it will vary from state to state. You will not get a straight and accurate answer here. Also, she may want to check for proper legal procedures on the settlement of divided assets, monies, entitlements and most of all when her other half does not fulfill his side of the obligations. As far as everything is clear cut and settled, then I am sure she could get on with her life with the children and that there would no more other legalities and prolong wrangles. I hope that she will be able to resolve this soon and I know it is painful and may take a bit of time. However, time is really of the essence and money here. Take care.

I'm getting sad everytime I heard of getting divorced just because one party found a new love. With no consideration of the feelings of the other party and the children. I have nothing against those who favor divorce but for me I really don't favor as, if there's no divorce there's a possibility of patching up things that would not led to separations. Good there's no divorce here. Am sorry I might be out of your topic. Am just sympathetic to the wives and children who by any moment can lose their husband and father for the reason that he met a new one and can easily get out of his family because there's a divorce.

I don't know much about the child support thing, and I don't know much about the law govern the divorced couples. I only knew that parents have their responsibility to take care of their children. Many children didn't want to get through these at will. They are innocent. Whatever the parents decided to do, they should do their best in the interest of their children.

That's sad to hear. I'm sure you want to help your sister out and you need help doing it. Well I think it is until she remarries because that's what I heard my parents one day, during a conversation about their friends. Why would someone cheat on a wife after 17 years of matrimony ?